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WASHINGTON: T11UK8IUY, JUNE XI, 1863.Weekly Natlenul lutelltfeucrrBr QALES 6c SEATON.JAMBS 0. WML LING, ASSOCIATE EDITOR.The subscription priee of this paper for a year ia TwoDollars, payable in advance.A reduction of 20 per oent. (one-fifth of ike full charge!will be made to any one who ahall order and pay for, at onetime, ten copiea of the Weekly paper; and a reduetion of25 per oent. (or one-fourth of the full charge) to any onewho will order and pay for, at oue time, twenty or morecopiea.No aeeounti being kept for thia paper, it will not be aentto any one iinleaa paid for in advance, nor any longer thanthe time for which it is paid.THE BETALIATOKY CODE.We published a tew days ago the joint resolutions passed by the Congress of the InsurgentStates, and approved by Gen. Jeffmon Davis,affirming that the proclamations of the Presidentof the United States, dated reapeotivaiy September22d, 1862, and January 1st, 1863, and 4he othermeasures of the Government of the United Statesand of its authorities, commanders, and forces designed or tending to emancipate slaves in the Confederate States, or to abduct suoh slaves, or to inoite them to insurrection, or to employ negroes inthe war against the Confederate States, or to overthrow the institution of African slavery and bringon a servile war in those States, " are inconsistentwith the spirit of those usages which in modernwarfare prevail among civilized nations, and maytherefore be properly and lawfully repressed byretaliation." It was accordingly resolved that?" Every white peraon, being a commissioned officer,or acting aa aueh, who, during the preaent war, ahallcommaud negroes or mulattoes in arma against theConfederate States, or who shall arm, tram, organize, orprepare negroes or mulattoes for military service agaimtthe Confederate States, or who shall voluntarily aid uegro?s or mulattoes in auy military enterprise, attack, orconflict in tuch service, shall be deemed as inciting servileinourrectioD, and shall, if captured, be put to death, or beotherwise punished at the discretion of the court."All persons charged with any offence punishableunder these regulations are to be tried before themilitary court attached to the army or oorps by thetroops of whioh they shall have been captured, orby such other military court as " the Presidentmay direct, and in suoh manner and under suchregulations as the President shall prescribe, and,after conviction, the Prerident may commute thepunithment in suoh manner and on such terms ashe may deem proper."Under the same prescriptions it is declaredthat?"All negroes and mulattoes who sball be engaged inwar or be taken id arms sgainst the Confederate States,or shall give aid or comfort to the enemies of the Confederate State*, shsll, when captured in the Confederate States,be delivered to the authorities of the State or States inwhich they shall be captured, to be dealt with accordingto the present or future laws of such State or States."As our Government hai recently plaoed severalregiments of negroes in the field, commanded bywhite offioers, it is obvious that these menacedseverities of the insurgent authorities must imposeon it the necessity of protecting from outrage allmen who have taken the military oath in the service of the United States, for all such, without regard to color, are equally entitled to the protectionof the Government they serve and under whoseflag they fight. This is a principle of law whichwill be oonoeded equally by those who affirm andthose who question the expediency of employingnegro troops as regular soldiers in the present war.Nor has tho responsibility thns incurred by theemployment of negro troops in the Federal servicebeen overlooked by the President. On the 24thof April last be caused certain " instructions forthe government of the armies of the United Statesin the held," prepared by Francis Lieber, LL.D.,and revised by a board of offioers, to be publishedfor the information of all conoerned. Among these" instructions" are the following:" 57. So aoon a* a man ia armed by a aovrreign Government, and takea the aolditr'a oath of fidelity, be ia a belligerent; hia killing, wounding, or other warlike acta are noindividual Crimea or oflencea. No belligerent baa a rightto deolare that enemiea of a certain elaaa, color, or condition, when properly organised aa aoldiera, will not betreated by hiui aa public eneuiiea." 58. The law of nationa knowa of no distinc'ioo of color,and if an enemy of the United Btatea abould enalave andaell any captured peraona of their army, it would be a caaefir the aevereat retnliation, if not redreaaed upon complaint. The United Statea cannot retaliate by enalaveuipnt; therefore, death muat be the retaliation for thiacrime againat the law of nationa."It will thus be seen that the President, by approving these declarations, has already met theissue threatened to be made by the insurgent authority s, should these latter unfortunately proceedto the extremities indicated. Whatever may betheir natural irritation at the species of warfarethus brought against them by the Government,we are persuaded that they will not earry intoeffect so muoh of their resolved policy as denouocesthe penalty of death in punishment of all whiteoffioers, taken prisoners of war, who are found in' oommand of negro troops. And we think we seein the provision that " the President may commutetho punishment in suoh manner and on such termsas he may deem proper," an intimation of the prudential considerations, to uy nothing more, whiohare likely to preserve the Confederate authoritiesfrom suoh military wrong and injustioe under thelaws of nations. When they assumo to deolarethe employment of negro troops a violation of thelaw of nations they arraign not only the Government of the United States, but Powers like GreatBritain and France, which aTe supposed to understand somewhat of the rights and duties pertainingto the international oode. The Bmperor of thoFrench this moment has Nubian troops in Mexico,waging war by the side of French soldiers. Thewisdom of employing negro troops in the presentwar is one thing; the duty of giving them theprotection of the Government after they have beenregularly enlisted in the service is quite anothef;and those who, for many reasons, may still entertain grave doubts on the former point oan have nodoubt as to tho latter.Humanity, indeed, muat shudder at the proapeot before us if either party in thia sad war shallhave reoourse to the dread sanotions of the retaliatory code for the repression of oonceived offencesagainst the rules of lawful war. If the waters ofthis Marah are onoe unsealed they may spreadinto a sea of blood. Hence the caution withwhich such awful remedies should be threatened or invoked on the one aide or the other inthis fratrioidal contest, which is already unnaturaland oruel enough to need no addition to its horrors. The usages of war cannot, indeed, wholly dispense with the lex talionh; yet all civilized nations acknowledge its sanctions to be the sternestweapons in the whole arsenal of warfare; and assuch they are never called forth except on compulsion, and then under tho direst necessity, toguard against the repetition of barbarous outrageswhioh oan be prevented in no other way. Thedenunciation of this punishment, after the manner of Qen. Hunter, in oommand at HiltonHead, who threatens to exeouto every rebel officerand slaveholder in his possession unless Gon. Jefferson Davis's order of " outlawry" against thoseemploying negro troops is revoked, cannot be treat; ed as any thing better than a compound of thehorrible and the ludiorous, in which the latter predominates, notwithstanding the keenness and theweight of the two-edged sword with whioh thewriter plays. Such idle fulminations discredit themilitary profession, and bring disgrace on theGovernment, whioh is reduoed to the necessity ofdisavowing the written orders of men placed inhigh oommand. It is generally to be observedthat the officers most prolific in such evidences ofthe cacoethes scribendi are men whose names rarelyshine in connexion with brilliant deeds or acts ofnoble daring. And it is in view of this fact, wesuppose, that the Boston Daily Advertiser venturesto express its belief "that the Government has atits disposal no lack of officers who could administertbe Department of the South with at least as muchsuccess 8s Gen. Hunter, and who would be able tooompress into their orderB, if not more truth, atleast more wiadom."AN IMPARTIAL DRAFT.The New York Evening Post complains that theWar Department, in making its preliminary arrangements for the enrollment of all persons whoare liablo to be drafted into the military service,has not acted with the impartiality which the casedemands. It says:" The oonacription fulls upon all alike; the principlewhich underlie! it is that all citizens have an interest inthe welfare of the State, and all alike owe it service inarms against the enemy. If all are needed, all must go;when on'y a part are required the selection of thine whoshall first take their turn under arms is made by drawinglots; but all ty-e liable to draft." Now, it seems to us the Administration has forgottento apply this principle with that impartiality which theease demands. We bear of provost marshals and enrollment lists io the Northern aud Border States, but we donot bear of any preparations made to enforce tbe draft intbe Cotton States. Why are not-provost inarshsls appointedfor them ? Why 1 la it not understood that th#ir inhabitant* are subject to tbe same laws a* those of other StatesfHow is it tbat in Western Virginia a draft is likely tobe ordered for tbe Union army, hut in Eastern Virginianone T" The theory of the Administration is Ibat no State cansecede from tbe Union, and tbat no State sacrifices it*rights by a rebellion among its inhabitants; but, if it claimsits rights, it must also be held to its proper duties. Furthat reason we expeet the enrollment and the draft to beapplied alike to all tbe states." If it be said that a part of tbe people of the rebel Statesis already in arms, but against the Union, we reply tbatanother part of them is not. It may be tbnt the whitemen have been forced into Davis's armies; but the blackmen Davia keepaat bome to cultivate tbe land and to raisefood lor bis troops. In lucb a matter tbe Government cantiike no account of color or social position. All tbat it canask is whether a man be able bodied and fitted for the dutiesrequired of the aoldiers. If he is, be is a proper person tobe called into saraice. Tbe law does not impose a greaterburden upon one State than upon another, or upon oneclam than upon another. The draft, therefore, must beapplied to all, but must take those it finds?and ithappena, fortunately, in tbe Southern Statea that tho?owho remain at home belong to a cUas which ia loyal to theUnion and oppoaed to the rebellion. Besides, the alaveclaas is one which is to be peculiarly benefited by the results of tbe war, and ought, 011 tbat acoount, to be requiredto contribute to its prosecution and success."It is quite true, we believe, that no provost marshals have been appointed throughout the CottonStates, or even throughout Virginia, North Carolina, or Tennessee. And if surprised at this faot,the Post, we are sure, will be more surprised whenit learns that there are no applicants for these important and lucrative offices in the gift of the Government. We ought to have a provost marshal residingat the oapitals of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama,and other Southern States, with their appropriatesubordinates, whose duty it should be to enroll allthe loyal blacks preparatory to the enforcement ofthe draft at the South as well ait at the North. Asour oontemporary says, the Government in such amatter can take no account of color or social position. The draft should be equal and impartial.But whether it be that the views of the Post onthis point are singular, or that there is a suddenaed alarming dearth of patriots at the North whoare willing to hold offioo under the Administrationwhere there is the promise of doing, our contcmpory thinks, so much good, certain it is that Mr.Stanton should not be very severely criticised because he has not yet appointed provost marshalsfor all the Cotton States. If the Pott has any candidates whom it can recommend for these officeswe venture to express the opinion that their olaimswill be treated with due consideration by the Administration, which, we take it, is as anxious asour oontemporary can be to make the draft fall onall alike. As that ardent friend of the Government, Mr. Wendell Phillips, has recently said thathe will never rest satisfied until he sees five hundred thousand negro soldiers enlisted in the servioo of the Union, perhaps he could be induced toaccept an appointmont for South Carolina or Alabama.NOMINATION FOR CONGRESS.Bai.timohk, J it nr. G.?The Union Convention to nightnominated Hon. Henry Winter Davis for Representativein Congies* from tbe Third Congressional District. Hewas afterward serenaded, and made a speech, in which hesaid he should if elected support the entire policy of theAdministration. There ahonld, be said, be no aide issues.It was time for Maryland to speak oat boldly. He supported emancipation, and was for the vigorous prosecutionof the war and conquering a peaee.AN UNGENEROUS ATTACK.The New York Tribune, in notioing a late despatch to that city from Washington stating thatthe President, in speaking of the military operations on the Mississippi, had said " he expectedthe best results, but was nrepared for the worst,"expresses the Lope that, it the worst comes, " hewill be prepared to satisfy the oountry that evarything that could have been done to avert it hasbeen done."Our New York contemporary notes this statement, and refers to it in advanoe of the resultat Yicksburg, and in these terms, " in order thatthe Government may be apprized that this country,if called upon to bear the reverse that is thus apparently half foreshadowed, will require much information that it does not now possess to eonvinoeit that the disaster oould not have been avoided."The Tribune, after recalling that the first battleof Hull Iiun was lost and the rebellion set firmlyupon its legs, " while there were Union soldiersenough to crush the traitors twice over reposingidly on their arms within hearing of the din ofthat battle," prooeeds to upbraid the President asfollows:" We shall believe, bo long an we can, that the Government will m t again be chargeable with such fatal mimnanBgement. But it is well that it should bear in mind thatthere is a limit to all human endurance, even when thesuffering is inflicted by one's moat trusted friends. IfQrant and his brave army shall be left to be overwhelmed,aud the nation be again agonized with the spectacle ofhecatombs of its children slain to no purpose, the loyalmillions will not quail nor abate one jot of their spirit evenin the presence of so great a calamity; but they may feelthat it wou d be no longer a duty to tolerate the men inwhom they had confided, and u>ho only day after day haregivtn proof upon proof that they cm neither comprehendnor grapple successfully with the magnitude und the demandsof the task bejore them." We feel it our duty to tell the President these things.The people believe In the perpetuity of the Republic, butthey cannot believe in etern I weakness. They believe inthe ultimate tiiumph of the national cause, but iliey cannotforever endure a chronic apathy and in-providence that noexperience, however sharp, and no adversity, however appalling, can stimulate or instruct. They demand at leastthe same foresight and vigor in promoting their cause thatits enemies exhibit in assailing it. The time is past forquieting the country under luexcusnble disaster with assurance* that tedious and long wars and incompetency inwaging them are as did as the world itself. W th unlimited mean*, and with powers, civil and military, that areliterally despotic, placed in the hand* of th? President,there ought at tbi? day to be no failures We trust thatthe issue at Vicksburg will prove that there will be none,and that there is an eod of tbe system or no system which,if longer continued, must waste away and consume, notthe enemies of the Republic, but tbe Republic itself."As the Tribune is pre-eminently a "loyal paper" we suppose it is entirely right and properfor it to Bay to the President what it would behighly treasonable for any body else to say. Certain it is that we have never found ooeasion tohold this tone of mingled contempt and menacetowards the constituted authorities while exercising our right to animadvert on their conceivedshortcomings. And we think there are many considerations which should impose on the Tribune apeculiar modesty in any arraignment of the President and his advisers before the American peopleas men " who, day after day, have only given proofupon proof that tbey can neither comprehend norgrapple successfully with the magnitude and thedemands of the task before them."Not to say that the Tribune, by its wide andpotential influence, contributed largely to the elevation of these men to the power which it nowsays they have proved themselves incompetent towield, we beg to submit to the candid consideration of our contemporary that more than any otherjournal in the country it has aided to " press" uponthe President the adoption of the peculiar policyand the peculiar measures which constitute the mosthopeless features of our present political and military condition. Whatever of obloquy or criticismthe 1'resident may enoounter from other quartershe should be sacred from the Tribune's assaultsIt will be remembered by our readers that in hisfmt interview had with the Representatives andSenators from tho Border Slaveholding States, inorder to explain to them the design of his policyof compensated emancipation, Mr. Lincoln stated,| in reply to a suggestion made by Mr. Noell, ofMissouri, respecting the position of our New Yorkcontemporary on this question, that " he must notbe expected to quarrel with the New York Tribunebefore the right time came ; he hoped never tohave to do it, and be would not antioipato events."And in response to an inquiry made by Mr. Crisfield, of Maryland, the President, after again intimating as he had before done, that a " quarrel "with the "Greeley faction" was impending, said" he did not wish to encounter it before the propertime, nor at all if it could be avoided."Thus far the President has "avoided" this"quarrel" by doing voluntarily or under "pressure" pretty much every thing that th? Tribunehas desired ; and, under such oiroutustances, weagain submit that he has a right to look for a greater degree of forbearance, not to say justioe, at thehands of its eonduotor. If the latter will but recur to the " prayer" which he addressed to thePrcnident in the name of " twenty millions" sometime in the month of August la?t, (and to whichthe President replied through our oolumns,) hewill find that Mr. Lincoln has subsequently farexoeeded the desires whose gratification Mr. Oree*ley then thought would ensure the speedy salvationof the Republic beyond a peradventure, as tbeywould certainly complete the happiness of his importunate petitioner. It now turns out that Mr.Groolcy was mistaken in both of these respcots, fornoither is he happy nor is tho oountry saved. Onthe contrary, ho is, if possible, more miserable thanever, sn woll he may bo, if, a* he says, tho Republio is "wasting away" under the "system or nosystem" which obtains in the oonduot of thowar. We do not question the sincerity of theapprehensions expressed, for they are sharedby all thoughtful and patriotic citizens, buthaving dono so much to enhance the magnitudeand enlarge the demands of the task set before thePresident, the Tribune should not be swift to reproach him with " ohronie apathy and improvidence" because he staggers under the mountain ofdifficulties which it has helped to pile on his back.BATTLE AT PORT HUDSON.By the arrival at New Yoik of tbe steamer MorningStar we have advices from New Orleans to the2*Jth ultimo,being tbe name date an already received, but containingsome highly important intelligence that failed to reachNew Orleai.it in season for tbe last steamer.Tbe attack upon Port Hudsou, which seemed imminentat the close of our last accounts, took place on tbe 27thof May, after a continuoua bombardment by Com. Farragut's fleet, from the previous Wednesday. Tbe poaitioohad beenclos-ly invested ; our right resting on Tbompaon'abayou, above the torts, and our left on Springfield landing,below them. The extreme right was commanded by Gen.Weitzel, tbe right centre by Qen. Grover, tbe left centreby Qen Augur, and the extreme left by Gen. J. W. Sherman?tbe artillery being under Geu. Arnold. Previousreeounoiaaances revealed that tbe defences on the laud aidewere very strong, consisting of several lines of entrenchments and rifle pit**, with abattis of heavy trees felled inevery direction.Tbe plans of Gen. Hanks having been perfected, ageneral attack by laud and water was ordered for Wednesday, aud began about seven o'clock, almost simultaneously aioDg the eutire line, the aim being to capture theheavy batteries, respectively,on the enemy's left and right.Tbe first tack was committed to Gen. Weitzel, and aftera desperate fight, in which his troops suffered severely,was crowned with partial success by the capture of the' celebrated six-gun battery commanding the river audwhich proved so destructive to the frigate Mississippi ontbe night when she was destroyed. This is considered amost important point gained, as it turns the left of theeuemy aiid enabled our troops to ute it with advantageagainst the other fortifications, a* was done with greatsuccess.Tbe attack upon tbe enemy's right by Gen. Sherman wagequally brilliant but lea* successful. With desperate valortwo of our regiment# carried tbe enemy's works at thepoint of tbe bayonet, under a uiurderoua fire of shot, shell,grape,'canister, and musketry, but were at length compelled to give way before tbe overwhelming numbers thatwere massed against them. Considerable ground wasgamed and held, howfever, though tbe principal object ofthe attack, that of getting inside the main works and capturing tbe batteries on the enemy's right, was not accomplished. In this attark Gen. Sherman fell severely wounded in the leg and was taken to New Orleans the next day.1 here was also a heavy lost of other officers, among thembeing Gen. Neal Dow wounded, and Cols. Clarke andCowles killed. All tfce regiments suffered severely, theSixth Michigan and One Hundred aud Twenty-eighth NewYork losing about half their effective men, and the 8econdLouisiana Native Guards, who led the advance with conspicuous bravery, came out with a loss of over six hundred men and nearly all their officers.Meanwhile the attack on the centre had been made byGens. Augur and Grover. It was conducted with tbe mostimpetuous valor and met by tbe most desperate resistanceThe enemy were driven font by foot out of the rifle pitsand entrenchments behiud their main works, and ourtroops held every inch of ground that they bad gained.There is somt discrepancy in the accounts as to tbe continuance of the action : one version stating positively thatat five o'clock in the afternoon a general order was dispatched along the whole line to retreat to the original position occupied at the commencement of the action.Another account asserts with equal positiveness that atsever, o'clock in the evening the battle was raging alongthe entire line with great fury; and that at four o'clock ofthe following day despatches had been received at NewOrleans that our position was still improving, with everyprospect of success.The details of the second day's fight (on Thursday, the'28th) had not been received, but it was believed to havebeen at severe as that of tbe day before. The impressionprevailed in New Orleans that tbe news was kept backtill tbe field wa* finally lost or won; but a? Gen. Bankshad been reinforced so as to cover all hit losses and wasbelieved to have sufficient force to complete the reduction of the position, and as he is said to have expressedthe determination to carry it by storm even if be should loseten thousind men in doing so, it la confidently expectedthat his efforts will be crowned with success, and that thenext despatches will convey tbe important tidings of thecapture of Poit Hudson and all its defenders.Our loss in the battle of Wednecday is set down at between two and three thousind, and tbat of the enemy italso said to have been frightful, but less in proportionthan our own, as they were in a great degree covered bytheir foitifications.The foregoing is condensed from New Orleans lettersby the Newark Daily Advertiser. We add an extract of aletter which speaks more particularly of the operations ofAdmiral Farragut's fleet:" It must not be supposed that while the army was doing all this desperate fishting on shore the navy was idle ?on the contrary, the gallant Admiral was at work with ibeentire squadron both above and below. The ' bummers'moved their position much nearer the works and kept upa continuous fire of thirteen-incb shell. Tbe Hartford andAlbatross engaged the upper batteriei. and wh-a Oener-1Weittel captured the tix-gun battery before referred to,they mnvd further down and supported him by attackingthe next below; Admiral Farragut, in the MonongaheU,followed by the Richmond, Genesee, and Ks.ex, engagedthe lower works, aud in a most effective manner.'" The fire of the enemy upon tbe ships was comparatively light ; I hey directed it principally at the Monongahela, but tailed to bit her 1 be Kichmond was equally fortunate, and there was not a casualty to record in the fleetup to six o'clock last evening. The fleet was engaged inthe morning and agnin in the afternoon, and succeeded indismounting five of the enemy's heaviest guus. Tne firingwas. for accuracy, never excelled. Admiral Farragut withhis squsdion will render Gen. Ranks important assistancein tbe wink yet to he done; be will continue to rain shotand shell upon the enemy in such a manner as must distract hm in a great measure from tbe land attack, andcompel hiui to abandon one line or the other. They cannot stand for many hours the assault they are now subjected to; it is more than human natnre can endure, thisconstant wear and tear of both body and mind."OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN HANKS.Headquarters Department or tub qui.r,Amrinnlh Army Corps, btforr Port Hudson,May 30, 1863.Major General HallbcK, General-in-Chief, Washington:General: Leaving Semmesport, on the Atchafalaya,where my command was at the date of my last despatch,I lan.ied at Hayou Sara at two o'clock on the morning ofthe'JIit. A portion of the infantry were transported insteamers, and the residue of the infantry, artillery, cavalry, and wagon train moved down on the west bank ofthe river, and from this to Bayou Sara.On the 23d a junction was tffected with the advanre ofMajor General Augur and Brigadier General Sherman,our line occupying the Bayou Sara road at a distance oflive miles from Port Hudson. Major Oeneral Augur badan encounter with a portion of the enemy on the BayouMara road. In the direction of Baton Kouge, which resultedin the repulse of the enemy with heavy luss.On the 'J.ith the enemy wa? compelled to abandon hisfirst line of works. General Weitxel's brigade, which hadcovered our rear in th* march from Alexandria, joined uson tlieljtith, and on the morning of the 27th a general assanlt was made upon the fortifications. The artillery opened fire between five anil six o'olock, which was continuedwith animation during the day.At t n "'clock Weittel's brigade, with tbe division ofGen. Grover, reduced to about two brigades, and the division of Geo. Emory, temporarily reduced by detachmentsto about a brigade, under command of Col. Paine, with tworegiments of colored troops, made an assault upon the rightof the enemy's works, crossing Handy creek, and drivingthem through the woods into his fortifications. The fightlasted on this line until four o'clock, and waa very severelycontested.On the left the infantry did not come up until later intbe day ; but at two o'clock an assault wan opened ou thework* ou the centre and left of ceutre by the divisions under Major Geu. Augur aud Brig. Gen. Sherman. The eueu>y wns driven iuto bis worka, aud our troops moved upto tbe fortification*, holding the opposite aide* of the parapet with the enemy.Oq the right our troopa atill hold this position. Ou theielt, afier dark, the main body being exposed to a flank tire,withdrew to a belt of woods, the skirmishers remainingclose upon the fortifications.In tbe assault of tbe 27th, the behavior of tbe officeraand men was most gillaut, and left notbiug to be desired.Our limited acquaintance witb the ground, aud the character of tbe works, which were almost bidden from our observation until the moment of approach, alone preventedthe capture of the post.Ou the extreme right of our liue I posted the first andthird regiments of negro troops. Toe first regiment 01Louisiana Engineers, composed exclu-ively of colored men,exoepting tbe officers, was also engaged in the'operationxof the day. Tbe position occupied by these troops was oneof importance, and called (or the utmost steadiness andbravery in those to whom it was confided It gives mepleasure to report that tbey answered every expectation,in many respects their couduct was heroic. No troopacould be more determined or more daring. They madeduring the day three charges upon tbe batteries of the enemy, suti'eiing very heavy losses, aud holding their positionat uightfall with the otber troops on the right of our line.| The highest commendation is bestowed upon tbem by allthe officers in command ou tbe right. Whatever doubtmay have existed heretofore as to the efficieucy of organizations of this character, the history of this day provesconclusively to those who were in condition to observe (hecouduct of theae regiments that the Government will findin this class of troops effective supporters aud defendersThe revere test to which they were subjected, and the determined manner in which tbey encountered tjie enemy,leaves upon my mind no doubt of their ultimate success.They require only good officers, commands of limited uumbers, and careful discipline, to make them excellent soldiers.Our losses from the 23d to this date, in killed, wounded,and missing, are nearly one thousand, including, I deeplyregret to say, some of the ablest officers of the corps. Iam unable as yet to repeat tbem in detail.I bave the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient servant, N. P. BANK8,Major Geberal Commanding.SHIP-CANAL CONVENTION.Chicago, Juke 3,18G3.To the Edilors of the National Intelligencer.This city of the Lakes yesterday and to-day, at the opening of the Ship-Canal Convention, presented a scene of whichevery loyal American might justly feel proud, be be a citizen of the Atlantic State*, of the great Valley of the Mississippi, or of the noble St. Lawrence valley, the waters ofwhich here almost commingle, and no doubt are destinedto be ueddied, and to fl jw in unison from the cold watersof the Qulf of St. Lawrence to the warm waters of theQulf of Mexico, carrying on their tide the'rich products oltoe tropics, the cere-ils of the temperate zone, and the timber and other valuable commodities of the coMer region ofthe American continent.Chicago, when fairly understood, in a commercial, climatic, and favored point of view, as regards water and laudcommunication, has probably no equal on the face of theglube. Standing near the southern border of one of thefive great Lakes of America, affording four or five thousand miles of inland ship navigation, and, by means of theErie canal of New York, favored by no outport on the Atlantic ocean, it only now wants a Ship Canal to the Mississippi river to give it au outport on the Qulf of Mexico.As to railroad facilities, no adequate idea can be conveyed. The trow hars already extend to Montreal, Quebec,and Portland on the northeast; to Boston,New York, Philadelphia, &.c. on the east; to Charleston and Savannah outhe southeast, and to Mobile and New Orleans on theboutb?being, ere long, no doubt destined to have railroadfacilities with other cities to the gold regions and the Pacific ocean on the west; while northward a railroad line isfin^hed to Qreen B*y, Wisconsin, and auother line nearlycompleted to St Paul, MinnesotaLook at a map of the United States and Canada, and seeber favored po?iiion near the centre of the temperate cone ;whle east and west she lies centrally between the At lantic andeastern si >pe of the Rocky Mountain*. By nature she claimspre-eminence as a great lulnud c ty. Give her the boon sheasks at this time, and the whule Republic will bn b-nefited, inasmuch as it Mi l afford facilities to the far Westand the eastern portions of our wide-exteuded country.Like the Erie canal, it will even tend to lessen the priceof provisions in foreigu markets, and at the same timestrengthen and enricb our own people, North and South,notwithstanding the latter are now in opeu rebellion.A late writer remarks, " Chicago is m <st emphaticallythe city of the West; for when any town can ju?tly claimto be the greatest market for gram, beef, pork, and lumberiu the world, then we may confidently believe thit all elsethat enters into the composition of a great city will gatherthere to build up, if not the greatest, one of the most important cities ol the continent."You will see the interesting proceedings of the ShipCanal Convention in the public prints. The meeting islarge aud most respectably attended, while good feelingand harmouy sretn to prevail.Yours, respectfully,J. Distijrnei.l.East TENNESSEE.Qov. Andrew Johnson arrived at Nashville on bis returnfrom Washington on the 30th of May. He was met at thedepot by a military escort, and a large concourse ofsoldiers and cit zous welcomed him at his residence onCapitol Hill. 'Gov. Jobnsou briefly addressed theui, expressing his belief that the day was not far distant whenTennessee would be redeemed from rebel .thraldom, anddeclaring that there was but one path to peace by submission to the laws, and not by armistice or compromise. TheNashville Union states that Gov. Johnson has been closelyengaged at Washington for some weeks past with the WarDepartment in the promotion of plans which he believedwould be for the interest of the national cause, and urgentbusiness connected with the equipment of tn ops for EastTennessee detained bim some time at Louisville. Hisscheme, it is also stated, his met a warm reception at theNorth, snd the Governors of several States, New York included, have offered regiments and brigades to raise thetwenty five thousand soldiers desired, looking specially tothe deliverance of East Tennessee.FRENCH REINFORCEMENTS FOR MEXICO.The latest accounts from Cherbourg state that large reinforcements are leaving that port for the French army inMexico. The transport frigate Entreprenante was underorders to sail f.>r Vera Cruz on the 23d ultimo, with fifteenofficers and four hundred and five rank and file, togetherwith several naval officers and a large quautity of ammunition. Qen. Courtois Koussel d'Hurbal, of the artillery,is to go to Mexico to replace the late Gen. Veruhet deLsumiere, killed in the trenches before PueWfi. The second battery of the third regiment <>f artillery, forming partof the garri?on of Viucennes, left Pa is on the 17th ultimoby railway for Cherbourg, to be embarked there on thefirst i pporfunity for Mexico.Adiuirnl Footk, who has been ordered to relieve Admiral Dt'l'ONT from the command of the Houth AtlanticBlockading Squadron, is now at his home in New Haven,(Conn.) but ia expected to sail from New York in a day ortwo to assume the command which has been aasigned tobim. The livening Post states that Admiral Dupont preferred a request s<>me time ago to be assigned to someother command, and the present action of the Governmentis simply in compliance with this request. Admiral Dupont ha* been in uninterrupted service on the Atlanticcoast for nearly two years, and is greatly in heed of a briefre*t fri in labors which have proved moat exhausting.ACCIDENT TO A BANKER.Philadelphia, Ji'ne 6?Franc s M. Drexel, seniorpartner of the firm of Drexel &. Co., bankers, was injuredi this afternoon by jumping from the Reading care. His injuries are thought to be fatal, as be was caught under thewheels and had both leg? crushed severely ; oue wastakenentirely off. His extreme age precludes the hope of hisrecovery.INCIDENTS AT VICKSBURG.Letter* to the Western paper* froui Vicksbarg relatemany perilous incidents in the aasaults upon the enemy's*imK- at thai pUiw. One of Uieui it)i:" Ou the right Gen. Sbermtu ha* push d Steele's di visionqiarely to the font ?f the parapet. Our men lie inditches on the slope of the parapet ou tin aide of one of'ie principal forU. Unable to lake it by alarm, they areetermiued not to retire. The Federal and rebel aoldieraire net twenty tive fen apart Both are powerless toflict much harm. E?oh watchea the other, and a dozeniu?ke'H are tired whenever a soldier expose* himselfbove the wrki ? u either sile. Nenly the anme condimn of thi'ifc* exists in McPheraou'a front. Hia sharp?mooters prevent the working of the enemy's pieces in one?r two lorta. Fancy yourself lying thua ou the alope of apirapet, cliuging by your handa and knees, ouly twentyfive feet from a fellow with aharp eyea and a true aim,who would think it sport to knock you over, aud you havea good idea of the perils of the soldier's life !"A letter to the Chioago Journal, dated " Rear of Vicksburg, May 2d," says 01 the second assault on the rebelworks on the 22i ultimo:"Storming parlies of volunteer', and forlorn hopes,were advauced under cover ol field batteries and sharpshooters, and supported by brigades The men movedbravely aud well into the field aud up to the works, butin vain. We could not take the works The men dugsteps iu the earthworks with tbeir ba>onets, and placedtheir colors on the rebel parapets, whence neither partycould remove them, every man who thowed himself tailingfrom the ahot of a rifleman."Col. Humphrey*, of the Ninety-fifch Illinois, was inGen. Ransom's brigade. Iu the second assault his reaiment was heritatiug: Gen. Rausom called to lum to moveforward. Dropping his sword iu a tulute to the General,.he ordered, 'Forward Ninety-fifth,'aud fell dead. Thecolor-bearer was ahot, and fell at the same instant. Theregiment wavered. Gen. Ransom seized the colors audadvanced in front of the line; three line officers left theirplaces, came to the General and took the colors. Theline advanced and those colors were planted on the rebelparapet.'* During the same day the colots of the Ninth Iowawere planted ou a rebel parapet, the color-gu<rd jiggingsteps with tbeir bayonets. The colors remained iu thatposition seven hours. Every man of the Ninth that attempted to get uear them was shot by the rebels. Everyrebel that essayed to touch them was winged by oue ofour sharp-shooters. The Ninth brought away the flagstaffaud about two thirds of the colors; the rebels have, perhaps, one-third. When colors are advanced to such a position that every band that essays to feel the staff iswinged, you can well understand that there is sharpshooting."The tame correspondent gives the following sutnmaiyof the army's exploits and of the strength of the rebtlfortifications:"This is the total of our arm>'s work : In sixteen daysit has marched one hundred and sixty miles, lought fivebattles, taken the capital of Mississippi, destroyed allcommunication with the rebel army nt 1 ullihoma, captured seven thousand prisoners, ninety-two pieces of artillery, eight thousand stand of small arms, seven miles t-fheavy fortifications on the rebel ri?bt, completely investedthe city in the rear, and opeued for us a n- w and perfectline of supplies. During thece sixteen days the army badbut four days' ratious from the depot of supplies."Vwksburg is defended in the rear by works fifteenfeet iu height, with ditches ten feet deep?trie woiks standing on steep hillsides, every approach protected by riflepita and covered by artillery. It cannot be taken by assault, but will be taken. It ia a doomed city. This fhorning a mine unleriineof the forts iu front of Sherman'scorps waa blown up, and the site is now in our possession.Our Ins*, mi far. is ab.iiit five thousaud killed aud wounded, perhaps leu."Near Vicksburg, May 30, 1863.A Sabbath-like stillneaa has pervaded the camp moat ofthe time for several di>ys. On one or two occ&aiona vigorous cannonading has been kept up for five or teu minutes,at points where real or fancied movements of the enemy'sforces were being made ; then all would subside again.Even the sharpshooters would lie idle. Spades are oncemore trumps. We are erecting earth-works to protectour men, aud mining to blow the lace out of oue or twoprominent forts that are nearly unapproachable otherwise.I'be idea of carrying the place by storm seems to be abandoned, and the safer aud surer plan of starving Gen. Pernberton into submission now finds lavur every where.This morning the heaviest cannonading of the siege waskept up without intermission nearly three hours. Newbatcries have been placed in po.-ition, aud one hundredand fifty guns were playing ou the city at daylight. Thetiring was rapid beyond belief, a id reports along the wholeline averaged one per second for minutes together Toeroar of heavy siege-gnus was awful, and the earth waarhakeu by the concuaaion. At present, 6 A. M., there iaa lull.The latest official advices from Vicksburg are to theevening of Weduesday, the 3d lustaut, at whigh time thesiege continued.Walnut Hills, June 2, 1863.Blair's expedition has returned w.thout the loss of atnau Fifty-six miles of country, from the Big Black tothe Yiizoo, was scoured by our troops. Several bridges,grist mills, aud cotton gins used to grind corn were destroyed ; alto a large quantity of cott >n marked C. S. A.The country towards Yazoo City is teemiug with agricultural riches; cattle, sheep, aud hogs abound. Flourishing cropa of corn, oats, wheat, and rye are seen on everyaide Hundreds of negroes stampeded at the approach ofour troops, and followed them into the lines.Joe Johnston has not yet been heard from definitely.It is supposed be cannot raise a sufficient force to attackGraut.The annexed private letters from officers of Com. Porter's fleet are published :In Front of Vickbburg, Jure 1, 1863.I was io a rifle-pit yeaterday, twenty yards from theenemy's lines, O'l Sherman's front. The poor devils havehad all their gun* silenced, and can't fire a sbot Theythrow hand grenade* 011 our men who are working awayuiideineath their forts, and who throw them back attain.You may talk of ?<evaitopol and Malahofl', hut it waa babyw rk to this Nothing ever yet equalled the work <>f oura ddiera in getting up to lhe<e work*. You would have toaee it to believe it. All the Richmond* would be nothingto th? oiif-twentieth of the nine inilea of work* thesedevil* have thrown up in front, and the obatructiona theyhtive l?*ft bell nd our nrtuy for six wile a. If we can everget a reporter to tell the truth, he will write a tale of moreintereat than any that baa be?n published for a century.Now and then we aink a veaa?M, or get one sunk, but wewill pump the water out of tbem aa aonn as the town falla,which will certainly be in ten days.Near Vicksburg, Ji-ne 1, 1863.There is nothing new to communicate, except the return of a second expedition up thx Yazoo. They returnedperfectly successful, having deatroyed eight transport* anda largo amount of cotton and other valuablea, and capturedaome priamera and provisions. The condition and position of our army in the rear ol Vicksburg i? still good,andHen. Grant is confident of success. I never aaw auch alin* of defences aa aro in front of Gen. Sbermau'a lines.At aome places our parallela are within fifty yards of thee it iny'a work*, and our men lie down directly under theguna of the rebels. If an assault is made with ten thousand men they cannot help taking the city. The enemycannot have over nine thousand in their works, and Grantsays he can whip any reinfoicements they can bring up.Our mortar* are still b mbarding Vickshurg, and doinga great deal of good. We have killed a great number ofb ef cattle and done a great deal of damage. Our guob"a'B below come up every night ami fte slowly duringthe uightAn officer has just come up from Bank*, and reportsh.111 in the raiue position that we are here. He hta closelyuiveated Port Hilda n, and says he is certain of "goingin." lbey are, however, strougly fortified, and may holdout there aome time.REBEL NEWS FROM SOtTTH CAROLINA.Charleston, Jine 4.?An official deapatch fromGeneral W. 8. Walker, at Pocotaligo, report* that theenemy fired the town of Bluffiou to-day. Our foreea engaged them aud prevented a further advance. A laterdespatch from Lieut. Col. Johusou to Gen. Walker saya:"Weaie now in BlufTton, which place is in flames.The enemy have retired. No one hurt on our side. Inthe raid 011 the Combahee the enemy carried away abouttrn th< usand negroe*, and destroyed nearly a million dollars' worth of property "Immigration.?The immigration to New York continues a* lar^e aa ever The number of arrivala laat weekwas 5,150, which makes the grand t*>tal aince January\ 140,082, againat 20.6H8 in the aame perii>d of laat year.